Job Introduction

As the Head of Enterprise Architecture at cardfactory, your primary responsibility will be to lead and drive the strategic technology vision and roadmap for the organization. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the alignment of technology initiatives with the company's business objectives, particularly in the context of its growth strategy encompassing store sales expansion, digital transformation, and international market penetration. Your leadership will be essential in overseeing the design, development, and implementation of cutting-edge technology solutions that enable seamless operations, enhanced customer experiences, and successful international expansion

Role Responsibility

• Develop and communicate the enterprise architecture strategy that supports the company's growth ambitions, encompassing store sales, digital expansion, and global reach
• Collaborate with senior executives, business leaders, and technology teams to ensure that the technology roadmap aligns with business priorities and future needs
• Lead the creation and maintenance of a comprehensive technology roadmap that supports the implementation of key business initiatives, including SAP ERP, OMS, HR systems, Point of Sale upgrades, Mobile Point of Sale solutions, partner portals, and EDI capabilities
• Oversee the design of scalable and adaptable technology solutions that facilitate efficient processes, improve customer engagement, and enable B2B interactions with partners
• Foster strong working relationships with business stakeholders, IT teams, and external partners to ensure a collaborative approach to technology solution development
• Establish and enforce architectural standards, guidelines, and principles that ensure consistency, interoperability, and security across the technology landscape
• Manage and mentor a team of enterprise architects, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth
•  This may include the use of third party resource from strategic technology partners
• Define roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations within the team, enabling them to deliver high-quality results
• Advise change management efforts related to technology initiatives, ensuring that organizational stakeholders are informed, engaged, and prepared for changes

The Ideal Candidate

Credentials and Experience

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in business, computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, system analysis or a related field of study, or equivalent experience
• Ten or more years of business experience in strategic and operations planning and/or business analysis
• Ten or more years of experience in at least three disciplines, such as business, information, solution or technical architecture, application development, middleware, information analysis, database management or operations in a multitier environment

Other Skills:

• Experience of Retail / Consumer Goods is desired (but not mandatory)
• Experience of core Cloud technologies SaaS, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS)
• Architectural experience across key Enterprise systems including ERP, HR Systems, Digital/Commerce platforms
• Good understanding of Data and Integration in the context of the Enterprise Architecture
• Knowledge of business models, operating models, financial models, cost-benefit analysis, budgeting and risk management.
• Familiarity with information management practices, system development life cycle management, IT services management, agile and lean methodologies, infrastructure and operations, and EA and ITIL frameworks.
• Understanding of the different types of agile principles, methodologies and frameworks, especially those designed to be scaled at the enterprise level.
• Understanding of existing, new and emerging technologies, and processing environments.
• Strong leadership skills with exceptional soft and interpersonal skills, including teamwork, facilitation and negotiation.
• Strong consulting skills such as targeted communications, engagement management, stakeholder management and business development.
• Knowledge of all components of enterprise architecture, business and IT principles and processes.
• Familiarity with basic graphical modelling approaches, tools and model repositories

About the Company

Card Factory is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of greetings cards, dressings, and gifts with over one thousand stores across the UK and Ireland.  In 2020 we launched our exciting 5-year business strategy including our vision of becoming a true Omni-channel retailer.  This strategy sees significant investment into our colleagues across the business creating multiple opportunities to join a fast-paced environment and be part of our exciting journey.  

In return, we offer a wide range of benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.

Benefits

• Pension
• 15% Card Factory colleague discount in-store and online
• Save As You Earn scheme
• Financial Wellbeing Support       
  • Financial Education Tools
  • Salary Advance
• Seasonal incentive schemes
• Retail Management Apprenticeship Programmes with local providers with access to a virtual internal network for learning together
• Discounted gym membership, mobile phone contracts, and car leasing
• Discounts across 100’s of UK retailers
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to tools to support mental, physical, and financial wellbeing
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption leave

This is an exciting role with genuine prospects for the right candidate. If this role describes you and your career aspirations, click apply now.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient suitable applications have been received. We advise applying early to avoid disappointment as applications will be reviewed regularly. 

No agencies, please.

Sportswift Ltd T/A cardfactory